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Paris Barclay Named First Black President Of The Directors’ Guild of America

Paris Barclay has made history during his long Hollywood career. And now he is celebrating another milestone—he was named the first black president of the Directors’ Guild of America, reports the The Grio. The DGA is a 77–year-old entertainment union that represents the interests of film and television directors.

An Emmy-winning director, Barclay has directed feature films and more than 100 episodes of television shows like The West Wing, Glee, ER, Lost, Law & Order and The Good Wife. He is also the executive producer of FX’s highest rated series, Sons of Anarchy.

Barclay started his career as a music video director after graduating from Harvard. He directed videos for the likes of New Kids on The Block, Janet Jackson, and Luther Vandross. He is now in pre-production on a film about Barbara Jordan, the first African American congresswoman to come from the Deep South. Viola Davis will star.

Barclay is also the first openly gay person to serve as DGA’s president. Prior to this new appointment, Barclay was First Vice-President of the DGA.